Tag: arsenal’s
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Arsenal’s incredible strength in depth this season revealed with ‘world class’ back-ups in each position
ARSENAL have much improved strength in depth going into this season.
Gunners chiefs have handed boss Mikel Arteta hundreds of millions of pounds to rip up his squad and start again since succeeding Unai Emery.
With a net spend totalling an eye-watering £380million since the summer of 2019, the North Londoners are desperate to get back to challenging at the top end of the Premier League.
Arsenal fell at the final hurdle last season, losing six of their last 12 matches to botch finishing in the top four.
But there will be no excuses this term, given the greater depth Arteta now has to call upon.
The Gunners have nearly three players for each position – nearly all of whom were signed by the Spaniard.
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Arsenal have blown teams away in pre-season, including a 4-0 shellacking of rivals Chelsea.
So as they prepare to go into Friday night’s opener at Crystal Palace, let’s take a look at their depth chart in more detail.
GOALKEEPERS
Aaron Ramsdale will start the season as Arsenal’s undisputed No1 goalkeeper, particularly after the sale of Bernd Leno to Fulham.
The England international will hope to keep developing as the Gunners aim to improve in the Premier League.
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Given Arsenal’s return to Europa League action, there may well be minutes for new American back-up stopper Matt Turner.
While forgotten man Runar Alex Runarsson is back after a loan spell at OH Leuven.
DEFENDERS
When fit Takehiro Tomiyasu impressed immensely at right-back during his debut campaign in North London.
Cedric Soares deputised for the Japan international last term, while Hector Bellerin is back after his loan at Real Betis, at least for now.
Kieran Tierney was excellent at left-back but like Tomiyasu suffers from numerous injury issues.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s addition will keep Arsenal covered, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles could also fill in.
Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes will now receive much greater competition at centre-back with William Saliba finally set to be given a chance – while Rob Holding and Pablo Mari are still at the club as backups.
MIDFIELDERS
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka were Arteta’s first choice pairing last season.
Mohamed Elneny penned a new contract to stick around, while Arsenal will hope for development from youngster Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Zinchenko offers an intriguing option, regularly playing in midfield for Ukraine – while Maitland-Niles could also do a job.
New skipper Martin Odegaard is set to begin the campaign as Arsenal’s creator-in-chief in the No10 position.
While new signing Fabio Vieira and academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe will also challenge for a starting position.
FORWARDS
Gabriel Jesus has been on fire in pre-season since arriving from Manchester City, and offers Arsenal fans genuine hope that they have finally found a prolific No9 to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Alexandre Lacazette has departed, although the Gunners were able to retain Eddie Nketiah on a new £100,000-a-week contract.
Bukayo Saka will hope to take another leap on the right flank as he enters the final two years of his contract – while he will be backed up by £72m man Nicolas Pepe and the returning Reiss Nelson.
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Gabriel Martinelli is desperate for an injury-free season after showing glimpses of his talent during his three years in North London.
He will be backed up on the left by Smith Rowe and intriguing new boy Marquinhos.
Arsenal are desperate to crack the top four this season[/caption]
Bernd Leno transfer sees another member of Arsenal’s disastrous £129m spree leave
Arsenal’s Fulham transfer target Bernd Leno’s wife Sophie stuns in bikini while relaxing on beach spa holiday
BERND LENO’S wife Sophie stunned in a bikini while on holiday ahead of her hubby’s impending Arsenal exit.
Gunners goalie Leno, 30, is on the brink of an £8million transfer to Fulham.
Bernd Leno’s wife Sophie stunned in a bikini while on holiday in Corfu[/caption]
The move will see the German remain in London.
And he also gets the chance to re-establish himself as one of the league’s top No1s.
But while Leno is a professional shot-stopper, missus Sophie is a seasoned show-stopper.
The 25-year-old, from Dusseldorf, met Leno seven years ago.
And they got married in a stunning ceremony in August 2020.
But as Leno prepares to leave the Emirates, Sophie is currently sunning herself in Corfu.
A budding jet-setter, she often treats her 80,000 Instagram followers to envious snaps of luxurious locations around the world.
And on Monday, Sophie posted several incredible snaps of herself in a blue bikini.
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Behind her was a shimmering swimming pool, with the artistic blend of colours pairing with a beautiful clear sky in the background.
Revealing her location to be the Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa, Sophie captioned her pictures: “If only every Monday could be like this.”
It prompted a flurry of comments from friends and fans, with one saying: “Wowww.”
Another wrote: “Sorry what? (Fire emoji).”
One added: “Wow absolutely gorgeous.”